MIC craziness

Kristine36

Cathlete
I just have to get this out. I have been doing just half of MIC tacked onto a separate strength section in this particular rotation I'm on now, and these MIC sections (hi\lo and step) are just so incredibly intense and tough! I know that there are probably many, many threads out there with these same sentiments about this tape, but I just cannot believe how intense they are! Did I say I think this tape is about as intense as it gets?? I would even say that IMAX is comparatively more do-able, because of the breaks you get.

I cannot imagine those of you who do MIC in its' entirety - you totally rock, and I mean TRULY you do. How can you do the hi/lo section and then go onto the step? I feel like my heart just might explode at times (I'm careful not to overdo it, however), and I would consider myself an advanced exerciser, but I don't know if I could ever get through this tape without modifying. I'm just in total awe, really I am.

How have y'all who do this tape actually get through the whole tape? I'm really curious and would love some pointers, because someday I may just try to take it all on at one time.

I'd appreciate hearing any MIC stories anyone is willing to share. :)
 
I love MIC and yes I do all of it I always say that I am only going to do it up to the medium intensity hi/low then to the first section of hi intensity, then I say to myself I will just do the step portion, but having got that far I decide I may as well do the step intervals at the end.

During the cool down I sing along to "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" I feel I deserve a treat after going through all that intensity.

Babs
 
I have owned MIC for 3 yrs now.My sister gave it to me for christmas.It was an awesome christmas gift.I did the tape that same day all the way through.
Normally I wouldn't do something that crazy...well,yes I would.;-).
I loaned it out to a friend who wanted to try floor aerobics.Probably not a good tape to start out with but oh well.Needless to say I don't think she tried it.
So, I just got it back and did it once each week and felt so great when I had it done.It is the longest tape I own so when you accomplish all that cardio, you feel as if you are on top of the world.
I don't really have any pointers though b/c like I said I have always done all of it, unless I was on a short cardio day and then I just did the floor part.But when I did it over the last 2 weeks...the first time I did it I was going out of town christmas shopping and I knew I was going to have to miss a work out and I would be eating all sorts of yummy treats that you can't get here.So, that got be through the, and when I did it this week, I had a large coffee and a slice of toast about 30 min before.Normally, I don't eat before aerobics but I had to have something in my belly b/c I knew I would fall short of enough energy.
Anyway, I don't know if I helped much but if all else fails keep pushing yourself and eventually you will get there.It is nice having something to work towards.
Lori
 
First of all, don't try to do the step part on an 8" step. Second of all, it IS best to eat something first. I have a Slimfast Meal Replacement bar and take my vitamins, THEN do the whole tape about an hour later.

Just finish the Hilo part and keep going......

Just Do It! :)
 
Why is it that I can do MIC and not IMax? My brain overloads with IMax and I get lost and hit a wall!

I do find MIC really hard! I mean I'm sweating and groaning but I can make it. My goal is to do IMax! What am I doing wrong????
 
I don't know, since I think Imax is easier than MIC due to the breaks. Try it on 6". It is so much easier that way. If you can do MIC, you can do IMax.
 
Do MIC when you are angry :) I did it a few days ago, I was really mad at someone, and I took all of my agression out on the workout, and I have never worked out that hard ever!

I say a good pointer is to really get psyched up for the last hi/lo section where she picks up the intensity to high impact. Thankfully, I love that song when it really really gets fast, so I am pumped and ready to go!

I won' t lie, it is hard to go on to the step part, but at least at the beginning you know, it isn't so bad, where she does the sashays , the intensity is not as high, but then picks up. This is definitely one of the hardest tapes ever!!

I wonder why IMAX seems easier for some more than MIC..
IMAX is of course tough, I find the small recovery sections are wonderful, and I look forward to every one! :)

If there were NO RECOVERIES in IMAX, can you imagine that??
EEK! Jaime
 
When I first got MIC (a couple of years ago) I broke it into two workouts. Then, one day I decided to keep going into the step part. I didn't finish it at first but I just kept going a little further each time. Now I can do the whole workout but it is a tough one. I really have to mentally prepare for MIC. I feel great when I am done-like wow, what an accomplishment!

Joanne
 
Yes, I do the whole thing when I do this tape. It is so intense but you get a sense of accomplishing something great when it's over.

Babs has the right sentiment about "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". The first time I heard that in the tape I laughed. Now, I actually look forward to hearing it because I know I've made it and it's over!
 
This is what I do. I do cardio on Sa, M, and W, and strength on Su, T, Th. Friday is my day off. This means I do no cardio on Thursdays or Fridays, so I do MIC on Saturdays. My joints are rested and I have lots of energy because it's the weekend. I put it into 4 or 6 week rotations and I love it. The first week of the rotation, I usually pause the tape for a long time (3-5 min) between the hi/lo and step. I go to the bathroom, get some water, etc. I just can't fathom doing step immediately after the intense hi/lo section! But by the 3rd week, I know what comes where so I can look forward to getting a break because I know when the workout gets intense and when Cathe lets up and gives you a break. The worst part of this tape is that it seems so intense and you fear for what might come next. You think - she is making us do high jogs now? She just made us do 40 airborn jumps!?! But if you do this tape enough, you know they are coming. MIC, to me, is tougher than Imax, but I really like it. The music in the step section is my favorite! Good luck, and have fun!
 
I am fairly new with using Cathe's tapes. After doing BodyMax for 1 week (my first tape - which is awesome), I decided to purchase the Rythmic Step+ which has MIC. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed this tape. I am an experienced exerciser and still had trouble finishing the entire tape. I loved the change of doing hi/lo and then going to step. I've been modifying each time I do it and it's getting easier. Good luck!
 
Yup, MIC is a monster -- Numero Uno on my dread factor list.

When I first did it, I only did one section per workout.

Now, I do MIC in its entirety. It's usually on the day after my rest day which is Saturday. For me working out is one-half physical, one-half mental. With MIC I use the "take no prisoners" stance. I become the little red engine that shouts "I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!!". Whenever I feel my energy flag and my legs feel like they're no longer a part of my body, I get stern with myself and push myself harder. Failure is not an option. And when Don't Cry for Me Argentina comes on, I feel like an Amazon.

Before I do MIC I tell myself I only HAVE to do the hi-lo, and the step portion is a "bonus". That gives me the feeling of free choice -- and usually that choice is to do the step and get it over with 'cause I know I'll feel bad about not doing it later on in the day. And the hi-lo section is also harder than the step.

If you tell yourself you can do it and have the physical capability, you will succeed.

Patricia (that little huffin' and puffin' red engine -- choo! choo!)
 
One of the things I like about MIC is that the step portion is EASY in comparison to the hi/lo portion, so when you get there, you are COASTIN' until 'rollercoaster of love' comes on, with tose up-and-overs. Time to lower the step! Then, the next biggie is the interval challenge, the hop-up-on-the-step with two feet at the same time. Sheesh, if I can make it to this point, I KNOW I'm well-rested..It's a killer workout, but it's also something that is fun while it's killin' you. I don't know if I have ever actually finished the entire thing...(oh, yeah, I have. I was just pretty delirious at the end!)
Kathy
 

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top